Atlanta Rapper Hosts Vegan Night Market at Westside Motor Lounge

“It’s a vision of a community where everyone, vegan or not, can feel welcome,” Grey says. “It’s about making health cool and giving us a place where we can relax.”

Credits: The Vegan Social

Credits: The Vegan Social

Visitors entering the Vegan Social will see live animals and local farmers selling fresh produce. Indoor and outdoor spaces will lead to a food truck park, a kids’ zone and vendor booths.

The first Vegan Social at the Westside Motor Lounge will feature six food trucks, including Superior Vegan, Nut Cafe and Sometimeatarian. Vegan Gator, an alternative food truck based in Gainesville, Florida, will be joining the festivities.

Vendors at the market include jewelry maker Celestial Adornments, sportswear and history company Afr-letics and handmade soap brand Alchemy Soap Company.

Credits: Joseph Rumph

Credits: Joseph Rumph

Attendees can play giant versions of bingo, Jenga, Connect Four and other games while listening to music from a live DJ.

PBD Grey, originally from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, who moved to Atlanta in 2014, adopted veganism eight years ago and came up with the idea to appeal to health-conscious people.

Credits: Joseph Rumph

Credits: Joseph Rumph

With 12 vendors he knew personally, Grey hosted the first Vegan Social on April 3 at Atlanta Utility Works. About 100 people showed up. The following week, he expanded to 26 vendors, with more food options, including crepes, noodle bowls, burgers, tacos, and ice cream.

Happy hour cocktail and massage stations were added, and then recreation company ATL Camp CORE hosted inflatable trampolines, bubbles and ball stations for kids and families.

Credit: Joseph “PBD Grey” Rumph

Credit: Joseph “PBD Grey” Rumph

He says he decided to move the Vegan Social from Atlanta Utility Works to the Westside Motor Lounge because the new location fits the event’s layout and could help him reach his attendance goal of more than 1,000 guests.

“It’s a high-level move that will enhance the experience of people who have come to previous events,” he said.

Credits: Joseph Rumph

Credits: Joseph Rumph

Grey says the Vegan Social fills a gap in healthier recurring event options in Atlanta. He hopes to expand the Vegan Social with live music performances and cooking demonstrations, and wants it to become Atlanta’s go-to Wednesday event, regardless of one’s dietary choices.

“You always have to think bigger, but it’s about making sure we have a place for vegans that is the place to be no matter what,” he said.

5pm-10pm every Wednesday. Westside Motor Lounge, 725 Echo Street NW, Atlanta. 678-388-9536. https://www.thevegan.social/

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